Re: Importing scanned maps

Grant,No I'm afraid that we won't have someone at the Fargo show this week. However, here are the steps for calibrating and loading a map into Site Pro:

1. Site Pro gives you the ability to calibrate by assigning GPS coordinates to the scanned image. To do this, you need three points for each image. These three points should form a triangle. If you already have a map (such as a yield map) in Site Pro that is GPS correct, you can use the Registration Points tool to click at three points on the Site Pro map (the yield or other map that is GPS correct) that you can also find on the scanned map. These points can be intersections of roads or waterways or the corners of fields. You will enter a name for each point (this name is just to help you identify each point and could be something like "500 S & 650 E" or "SW Corner of Field#1").2. Run the Calibrate program by clicking on the Calibrate button from the backdrop tools.3. Load the map that you are working with.4. Select the Register Points Tool in Calibrate.5. Click on each of the three known points on the scanned map (you can use the Zoom tools to zoom in and out). For each point you'll be asked for the GPS coordinate. If you registered points in Step#1, select the names from the drop-down list. If not, you'll need to type in the GPS coordinate for each point.6. After selecting the third point the map will be calibrated and GPS coordinates will be added to it.7. Use the Save As option to save the map under a different name.8. Exit the Calibrate program and return to Site Pro.9. In Site Pro go to Layer Management and select the client and layer that you want the scanned map loaded on. Normally we recomend that you have layers that will be used just for these scanned images with each layer holding no more than a couple images (the number of images depends on the speed of your computer). This layer should be of the type "Lines Only". Display this Layer as the Active Layer.10. Return to the Backdrop Tools and load the calibrated map. It should line up with any other maps that are GPS based.

If you don't have three coordinates for a map, in the Calibrate program use the Full Calibrate option. With this option you will trace two lines on each scanned image. One line goes east-west and the other goes north-south. You must know the distance of each line. This will assign a scale to the map and point it the correct direction but it won't add GPS coordinates to it. When you load the map into Site Pro, you will then need to move it (using the Move tool in the Backdrop Tools) to the correct location. This method will not be as accurate.

We will be putting on training classes in Great Falls, MT, and Williston & Devils Lake, ND in November. Check out the class schedule on this website for more information.

I hope that this helps! Please let us know if we can be of any further service.